Based on allocations already disclosed by 34 states as of the 2026 appropriation cycle, the following states emerge as the top ten in education funding, ranked primarily by absolute allocation amounts, with percentage commitments noted for context:
- Anambra State
Anambra leads nationally with 46.9% of its N757 billion budget allocated to education, the highest proportion recorded in 2026 and the strongest commitment to the sector across all states. - Enugu State
Enugu allocated N522 billion out of N1.62 trillion, representing 32.3% of its total budget. This continues its multi-year pattern of dedicating over 30% to education. - Kano State
Kano earmarked N405.3 billion from a N1.368 trillion budget, amounting to 30%, positioning education as a core development priority. - Ogun State
Ogun allocated N275.4 billion from its N1.66 trillion budget, representing 16.6%, one of the highest absolute allocations in the country. - Kaduna State
Kaduna set aside N246.25 billion of its N985 billion budget, translating to 25%, meeting and exceeding international benchmarks. - Ebonyi State
Ebonyi allocated N247.97 billion under social services from a N884 billion budget. While the exact education-only figure is unclear, it ranks among the highest combined sector allocations. - Jigawa State
Jigawa committed N234.48 billion from N901.84 billion, representing 26%, reinforcing its reputation for sustained investment in education. - Abia State
Abia earmarked N203.2 billion from a N1.016 trillion budget, equating to 20%, aligning with UNESCO’s recommended public expenditure threshold. - Oyo State
Oyo allocated N155.21 billion out of N892 billion, representing 17.4%, placing it among states with notable but moderate commitments. - Kogi State
Kogi set aside N145.26 billion from N820.49 billion, amounting to 18%, edging into the top ten by allocation size.
Comparison with 2025 education budget rankings
2025 top ten recap
- Enugu
- Lagos
- Kaduna
- Kano
- Rivers
- Jigawa
- Ogun
- Delta
- Oyo
- Abia
Key changes between 2025 and 2026
New Entrants in 2026
- Anambra makes a dramatic entry, moving from outside the 2025 top ten to number one nationally in 2026, driven by an unprecedented 46.9% allocation.
- Ebonyi and Kogi also enter the 2026 top ten, largely due to increased sector-wide or social service spending.
States That Dropped Out
- Lagos, ranked second in 2025, falls out of the 2026 top ten due to a relatively low 5.87% allocation despite its large total budget.
- Rivers exits the ranking, partly because its 2026 appropriation bill had not yet been presented at the time of analysis.
- Delta also drops out after allocating only 6.11% of its 2026 budget to education.
Consistent Performers
- Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Ogun, Oyo, and Abia maintain their presence across both years, showing relative policy stability and sustained prioritisation of education.
Overall trend analysis
The 2026 data reveals a widening gap between high-commitment and low-commitment states. While states like Anambra, Enugu, and Kano significantly exceed UNESCO benchmarks, others with large fiscal capacity continue to underfund education. Compared to 2025, the ranking shows that political will, not revenue size, increasingly determines education investment outcomes.
If this trend continues, education quality, digital readiness, and human capital development will become even more uneven across Nigeria’s states—deepening regional inequalities rather than closing them.
